Adsorption and desorption of dimepiperate by soils

The adsorption and desorption of dimepiperate, S-(,-dimethylbenzyl)-1-piperidinecarbothioate, on three soils of various physical and chemical properties was studied. Adsorption isotherms conformed to Freundlich equation. The k _f values increased with increasing organic carbon content of the soils. To confirm the effect of organic matter, the adsorption of the herbicide was studied after removal of organic matter by peroxidation. This soil treatment caused a sequential loss of adsorptive capacity. Desorption isotherms also conformed to Freundlich equation, but K _des values were higher than those for adsorption and increased with increase in concentration of initially adsorbed dimepiperate. Hysteresis was indicated by the decrease in slope of desorption compared to adsorption isotherms. Hysteresis decreased with increasing methanol content in the extracting solution. The factors involved are discussed.